Abstract
Small water bodies like lakes, springs and tanks, beside having diverse socio-religious uses, have been an integral part of religious rituals and worship in India from time immemorial. Water, in addition to having ecological significance as a source & sustainer of life, plays a vital role in holy rituals or rites of many major faiths that incorporate ritual washing, including Christianity, Hinduism, Sikh and Islam. Tanks or “Kundas” are an integral part of India’s famous and highly evolved traditional water management systems. In areas (particularly the Deccan peninsula) where the rivers are not snow-fed, the different kinds of tanks - percolation ponds, natural lakes, artificial reservoirs and temple tanks –proved to be of great use. While the ponds, lakes and artificial reservoirs were used for activities like irrigation, washing etc., the temple tanks were sanctified and the waters were drawn only in times of drought etc. The temple tanks are revered no less than the temple itself. Their water (tirtham) is believed to cleanse all sins. However, over the years, the ever increasing size of religious fairs and festivals which severely affect the purity of lakes and tanks and the increasing proclivities of the burgeoning Indian population to observe various rituals in rivers, without giving a care about the resultant water pollution, are causes for worry. This paper explore the diverse socio-religious uses of water in India and will examine its central role in many religious ceremonies and rites. It will also examine how these religious and cultural associations of water have evolved over the ages and to what extent religious rites have had serious environmental effects on our small water bodies.
Research Associate and Principal Investigator, History of Science, Indian National Science Academy, India
Keywords:
small water bodies, temple tanks, religion and culture
Citation:
Dr. Baisakhi Bandyopadhyay, 2025. A Study of Correlation of Small Water Bodies with Religion and Culture in India. Journal of Water Research. Photon 2025, 120-125 All Rights Reserved with Photon. Photon Ignitor: ISJN32949473D903914042025
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